Co-operative Teaching

Summary

This three-hour seminar for whole-staff examines how teachers of students with special educational needs can work co-operatively with mainstream teachers to meet a wide range of students’ learning needs, and in particular the needs of students with special educational needs (SEN). It focuses on co-teaching as an effective instructional and organisational arrangement for inclusive education classrooms. It explores the common challenges involved in co-teaching, along with its rationale and benefits for students, teachers and the school. Group activities take place throughout the seminar to help stimulate participants’ thinking and aid practical implementation of the strategy.

Key Aims

The key aims of the seminar are:

To introduce participants to co-operative teaching as an instructional technique and organisational arrangement to help cater for diversity·

To outline the rationale for co-teaching·

To explore the models of co-teaching with a particular focus on team teaching·

To outline the learning benefits for students and the professional benefits for co-teachers·

To enable participants to engage in the practice of planning for co-teaching work.

To provide participants with information on further reading, resources and materials to assist them in implementing co-teaching in post-primary schools.

Format of Event

This seminar is available as a whole-staff continuing professional development activity, delivered in the school. It normally takes place over a three-hour period, including a break, and is divided into two parts which includes participants’ involvement in workshops.

Part one explores the rationale and models of co-teaching.

Part two explores team teaching in detail: its benefits, challenges and practical considerations for implementation.

Availability

To avail of this seminar: Request the seminar through the SESS Supports Scheme (In-school Support).